Player ratings: Brave call
It took a brave spot-tackle from rookie scrumhalf Francois de Klerk with time up on the clock to ensure the Springboks held on for a 19-13 win.
That is how much there was in it – just one score, one moment of brilliance, in each of the three Tests.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players:
15 Willie le Roux:
Still erratic and way off his best. Arguably he was fortunate not to have been red-carded when he collided with an Irishman in the air.
5/10
14 Ruan Combrinck:
His kicking out of hand is so valuable and under-utilised. Still raw and makes mistakes, but committed and skilful.
6/10
13 Lionel Mapoe:
Tried harder, but still making mistakes – missing tackles and conceding turnovers. Lots of hard work awaits if he wants to retain his place.
5/10
12 Damian de Allende:
From the sublime to the ridiculous – missed tackles, conceded a penalty and also tested the Irish's defensive lines.
6/10
11 JP Pietersen:
Not flawless, but the ball he collected from the air at full-speed one the stroke of half-time was from the top shelf and a crucial score.
7/10
10 Elton Jantjies:
A horror show with the occasional moment of magic thrown in. Another player who may face the axe when the Rugby Championship arrives.
3/10
9 Francois de Klerk:
That second-half intercept near his own tryline, leaping in the air and the spot-tackle to stop a certain try makes him South Africa's most valuable player. That is not even taking into account the rest of his game, which was not too shabby either.
9/10
8 Warren Whiteley:
Not flawless by any means, but he made 22 tackles – the most of any player in the game – and had a couple of decent carries.
7/10
7 Siya Kolisi:
Bounced back from last week's poor display and will grow into his role as a blindside flanker.
6/10
6 Francois Louw:
Probably his best performance of the series and while he still looked a touch off the pace, showed glimpses of the form that can make him a feature in the openside role.
6/10
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit:
His workrate is simply phenomenal, with more than just a handful of carries and his tackle count (15) only beaten by that of Whiteley.
7/10
4 Eben Etzebeth:
Like his lock partner he did enormous work on defence, but overall his workrate can improve.
6/10
3 Frans Malherbe:
Better than the first two Tests, especially in the scrums, but still not at an acceptable level.
5/10
2 Adriaan Strauss (captain):
Let's just say that the standard of his game is NOT acceptable for a Springbok captain.
5/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira:
His ball-carrying improved and his defence was solid – when he tackled.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Bongi Mbonambi (on for Strauss, 79th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 57th min):
Massive scrum first up and made all his tackles. Not chances with ball in hand.
6/10
18 Julian Redelinghuys (on for Malherbe, 57th min):
Made a huge statement in his first scrum and also made all his tackles.
6/10
19 Franco Mostert (on for Etzebeth, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Jaco Kriel (on for Kolisi, 60th min):
Brought some energy in his cameo, but mostly forced to defend in the final quarter.
6/10
21 Rudy Paige:
Not used.
22 Morné Steyn:
Not used.
23 Lwazi Mvovo:
Not used.
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